Venus Syndrome: Cannibal Star

Here is another new band for me that has come my way courtesy of Rockshot Records and MVD Entertainment. The band is Venus Syndrome with a couple albums under their name; their self titled debut (2020) and their sophomore effort Cannibal Star (2021). Making up the band are four French musicians and Brazilian keyboardist Rodolfo Lima S. The band’s name is taken from the runaway greenhouse effect that has supposedly occurred on the planet Venus, causing ultra high surface temperatures. If this is in store for future Earth, the planet would not be able to support life. The album’s title refers to a star that literally eats other celestial bodies, often associated with binary star systems. Okay, enough of the science/astronomy lesson and on to the band’s latest album.

The first track “Ouverture 2040� is pure instrumental progressive metal with crisply pulsating keyboards and tasty guitar riffage. Dream Theater fans should really buy into this one. This is followed by “Sideral Groove� where a wall of razor-like guitar riffs pushes into a full-on progressive metal groove featuring tasty organ and strong lead vocals, similar in tone to Russell Allen (Symphony X). The guitar playing is superb here. “Sun Inside Me� features more guitar crunch contrasting nicely with mellower soundscapes. Again, Dream Theater influences crop up but by no means is this a direct copy as the band have their own style. On “Dark Side Of The Sun� the edgy riffs slice through the moody keyboards creating a hypnotizing effect and on the instrumental title track the band mix ethereal passages with scintillating keyboards and chunky guitar riffs. Just a fantastic instrumental workout showcasing the band’s subtle and heavier styles.

Cannibal Star is an impressive second album and I look forward to digging into their debut, sooner rather than later. Progressive metal and science fiction fans, please take notice.

In the band:
Emmanuelson (writer, lead singer)
Amayn Mokdad (composer, guitars)
Rodolfo Lima S. (keyboards)
Florian Guidat (bass)
Thibaud Pontet (drums and programming)

Track Listing:
1. Ouverture 2040
2. Sideral Groove
3. Sun Inside Me
4. Dark Side Of The Sun
5. Golden Mind
6. Empire Of The End
7. Cannibal Star
8. Breaking The Black Stars
9. Tunnel Of Light
10. Like A Monster
11. Contaminate Me

Added: August 3rd 2022
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band on Facebook
Hits: 612
Language: english

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